Fourth-and-Goal (Div C) – Week 8

Only Two Weeks Left

We’re late in the game. However, we’re seeing that the playoff positions are all but set in stone. Conference A has a mere 4 points between the first and last projected playoff seeds; don’t get too comfortable with where you are. The Conference B playoff picture is a bit clearer, but watch out: no one has been mathematically eliminated just yet – the two teams on the outside looking in can still find their way into those playoffs with one slip. So, the question remains: Who’s hungriest?

 

Insider Trading

“On the stock market, it’s smartest to buy when low stocks are just about to rise. Because, when they do rise, they’re going to be too expensive and everyone’s going to want some. Now would be a good time to buy in The Commission.” – Marc Belhomme, The Commission. This game was a prime example of what the defence of The Commission can do (with the lowest Points Against in the division) when paired with a comfortable, confident offence. The Sphinx simply had too much to handle this week at Lachine and looked flustered, as The Commission have regrouped and rebuilt. However, what implications does this have come playoff time?

 

Predators Prey on the Weak

The Predators showed that, at a moment’s notice, they can rise to the occasion and make a game theirs. Spring Cleaning, who were in a slump going into this game, were ahead for the entire football game. However, with a minute left, a critical pick-six by James Floreani turned the tides, and after the ensuing conversion Spring Cleaning found themselves behind for the first time in the football game. After a back and forth fury, push came to shove and the Predators scored on a clutch last play of the game. Spring Cleaning should examine what’s different in the last few weeks and attempt to rectify it if they hope to have any chance in the postseason.

 

Duckies Drown Meatballs

The Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies are no longer winless. A monster game from the underage star Nicky Plourde injected life into this team. While Mike Bagnato had a less than stellar game behind center, Ed Shoshan and the Spicy Meatballs had the same rhythm problems. A late-game pick six and a devastating injury to Benoit Gendron put the last nail in the meatballs coffin. Especially heartbreaking is the fact that they went into the second half up 7-0.

 

Power Rankings

1: Park-X Streets – Statistically the #1 team in Division C. They’ve got the best plus/minus and they win convincingly. What they do- works. Is there really anything else to say?

2: Rude Bwoys – Quietly going about their business. Too bad there wasn’t a season PXS/RB game, as the debate over the official best team would be settled. Matt Clow seems to be at almost full health, which adds another weapon to the Rude Bwoys arsenal.

3: Mysterious and Magical Men – A difficult second-half of the season, as well as a cross-divisional game against the best of Conference A means that MMM need to step up their game. Joe Birds needs to have a serious sit down with his boys.

4: Spring Cleaning – Incredibly noteworthy: Spring Cleaning went undefeated until spring ended and summer began (June 21st) and are now winless since. Should possibly consider changing their name to Summer Cleaning in order to rekindle their previous weeks of success.

5: Kardiac Kids – Very quickly becoming the Jordan McLaren show. They’re athletic, ballhawks and they have football smarts. The weakest link is their lack of consistency at the rusher position, which is more than made up for with their stifling DBs and safeties.

6: Eagles – One point shy of first place in Conference A. With an arguably lighter season’s end than Rude Bwoys, there is more than a possibility that the Eagles will sneak into the top A seed.

7: Sphinx – Looked flustered this week. Hopefully they can keep some consistency and finish strong. So long as Etienne Cloutier is able to find his different receivers and spread the ball evenly, Sphinx can appear as more than just a one-trick pony.

8: The Commission –  Have faltered, but have picked themselves up harder than when they went down. This team has taken their lumps, and are now much stronger because of it. A pure example of a team who do it all together.

9: Flight of the Conchords – Inconsistent, but strong enough to make the list. When they’re on, they’re on.

10: G.O.A.T. – Despite their record, they seem to be a whole new team with Jason Edwards as their new pivot. That, and the inclusion of Andrew Carruthers means that this team stacked with a roster of strong two-way players. Beware.

 

Quick Picks

Les Franciscains vs. Sphinx – Sphinx

Spring Cleaning vs. FAs – N/A

Park-X Streets vs. X-Men – Park-X Streets

Spicy Meatballs vs. Rip and Run – Rip and Run

Predators vs. Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies – Predators

Kardiac Kids vs. Mysterious and Magical Men – Mysterious and Magical Men

No Names vs. Longhorns – Longhorns

G.O.A.T. vs. Falcons – G.O.A.T.

The Commission vs. Rude Bwoys – Rude Bwoys

Eagles vs. Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords

 

 

Stay tuned until next week when I will be back in town. I’ll have something special for you guys! In the meantime, I can be contacted at [email protected]